Cuba Facts.

Hitchhiking is more fun in Cuba. Travelling to this country could be more exciting if you experience encounters with the locals. They could take you to different tourist spots, like Trinidad – where you could find colonial-era buildings, without spending too much money for your whole trip. However, anytime is never an ideal time to visit Cuba just to save yourself from the threats of hurricane and intense heat of summer, which could be unbearable for some visitors. You may book your flight between the months of December and April, so there would be no worries and you could make the most of what Cuba has to offer.

Important and Interesting facts about Cuba

Cuba is the largest of all islands in the Caribbean. The country also includes more than 4000 other much smaller islands and cays.

From the air, the island of Cuba resembles a crocodile or alligator and so Cuba is often referred to in Spanish as “El Cocodrilo” or “El Caimá”.

Sugar from sugar cane is the main crop grown in Cuba, followed by tobacco which is used in the making of hand-crafted cigars that are famous for being the finest cigars in the world.

As of 2013 Cuba has 9 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage list, 7 of these cultural sites and 2 of them natural.

Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean and the 17th largest in the world. Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean.

Cuba has over 200 bays and 250 beaches to explore, making it a haven for tourists who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the world.

The capital city of the Granma Province of Cuba, Bayamo forms one of the biggest cities in the county of Oriente. This city was founded by Diego Velazquez de Cuellar in the year 1513. Bayamo makes for a unique tourist place in Cuba. Earlier, Bayamo was one of the most important commercial hubs in Cuba.

The capital city of Cuba, Havana makes for a famous tourist place in Cuba. It is a prominent commercial hub and a major port in the country. This city is considered to be the oldest city founded by the Europeans. It extends towards the south from the bay area, which includes three main harbors – Marimelena, Atares and Guanabacoa.

Located on the northern coast of the island of Cuba on the Bay of Matanzas, this city is famous for its Afro-Cuban tradition. Matanzas is broadly visited by various tourists.

Holguin stands as the capital city of the province of Holguin in Cuba. It was established by Garcia de Holguin after whom the region got its name. Holguin is thus one of the notable Cuba tourist place. The city also features a baseball stadium. There are six waterfalls and six dams in Holguin. The largest waterfall in Cuba, Guayabo is situated in Holguin.

Santiago de Cuba forms the capital of the Santiago de Cuba Province. Located in the south-eastern part of Cuba, this city is another major destination in the nation. It is thronged by a good number of visitors from across the globe.

Cool, Funny and Fun Facts about Cuba

The worlds’ smallest hummingbird, the Bee Hummingbird, and smallest frog are found in Cuba.

The famous writer Ernest Hemingway wrote “The Old Man and the Sea,” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” while living in Cuba.

Mammals unique to Cuba include the Cuban Solenodon and the Little Goblin Bat. Birds unique to Cuba include the Cuban Finch and the Fernandina’s Flicker. Reptiles found only in Cuba include the Cuban Crocodile and the Cuban Boa. Freshwater fish that live solely in the rivers and streams of Cuba include the Cuban Gar and the Cuban Cavefish.

One reason why Fidel Castro grew a beard: The US embargo cut off his razorblade supply.

A white dove landed on Fidel Castro’s shoulder while he gave a speech, just after he liberated Cuba. It sat there one hour.

The US pays rent for Guantanamo Bay, but Cuba refuses to cash the checks.

The prehistoric fish, the Manjuarí, is now only found in Cuba.

There are no animals or plants in Cuba that are poisonous or lethal to humans.

Cuba has over 3000 plant species found nowhere else, including the palms Gastrococos and Hemithrinax.

Historical and Cultural facts about Cuba

Original indigenous inhabitants of Cuba were the Guanajatabey people followed by the Ciboney and Taíno tribes. In 1492, Christopher Columbus arrived on the island and claimed it as a Spanish territory.

Cuba is renown for its music, bands play everywhere in the capital Havana. The main musical form is called son, which is a combination of upbeat rhythms with classical guitar.

In a traditional Cuban meal the food is not served in courses, instead all the food is served at the same time.

Cuba is full of US cars from the 1950s. This is because they’re the only cars Cuban citizens can legally own. Only pre 1959 cars that were seized from their original owners can be privately owned and worked on. All newer cars are owned by the government.

Bacardi rum was originally manufactured in Cuba. However, the brand moved to Puerto Rico after Fidel Castro’s takeover.

There is a statue of John Lennon from The Beatles in the country of Cuba. It was erected in 2000 by Fidel Castro, after Castro declared John Lennon to be a music revolutionary.

Columbus claimed Cuba for Spain on October 12, 1492. When he discovered Cuba, Columbus actually thought he was in India.

Cuban food is a fusion of Caribbean foods (many of West African origin) and Spanish foods.

Dance is very important in Cuba. The Bolero, Mambo and Cha Cha was invented in the country.

Cubans don’t typically write their recipes down. Instead, they always pass them on orally from generation to generation.